Equistone takes majority stake in Vertbaudet
Context
Equistone Partners Europe has finalized the acquisition of a majority stake in Vertbaudet from Alpha Private Equity. The transaction marks a new chapter for the childhood specialist following a successful repositioning strategy initiated in 2015, which shifted the business from traditional mail-order to a digital-first platform. The executive team reinvested alongside Equistone to maintain operational continuity. The deal was completed on July 22, 2021, following the regulatory carve-out of Cyrillus (sold separately to MGA Paris). Despite the global pandemic, Vertbaudet demonstrated significant resilience, growing its turnover by 8% in 2020. The partnership intends to fuel further product diversification and strengthen the group's presence in Northern and Southern European markets.
In the past, Vertbaudet was acquired by Alpha Private Equity in 2013 as part of its expansion strategy.
Vertbaudet, which reported an EBITDA margin of [members only] in 2021, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of 5x–12x.
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Target
Founded in 1963, Vertbaudet has evolved into Europe’s leading e-commerce platform dedicated to childhood, encompassing apparel, footwear, childcare essentials, toys, and home decor. The group operates a robust omnichannel model; while maintaining a network of 75 physical stores in France, over 80% of its sales are generated digitally. Vertbaudet serves a loyal international customer base across eight European countries, including Germany, the UK, and the Iberian Peninsula. Its value proposition centers on a "one-stop-shop" experience for parents, combining proprietary designs with a high-performance digital marketplace. Strategically, the firm successfully decoupled from its sister brand, Cyrillus, in 2021 to focus exclusively on its high-growth childhood specialty.
Ent. Value
€100–350M
Equity Value
[members only]
Multiples
EV / Revenue
below 1.5x
EV / EBITDA
5x–12x
EV / EBIT
[members only]
Historical Financials (EUR)
Other operations with Vertbaudet
| Date | Acquirer | Target | Country | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/2013 | ALPHA PRIVATE EQUITY | VERTBAUDET | FRANCE | Fashion & Apparel |
Other operations with Equistone
| Date | Acquirer | Target | Country | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07/2022 | EQUISTONE / ALPINVEST | SICAME | FRANCE | Electrical Equipment |
| 06/2022 | EQUISTONE / IK PARTNERS / SAGARD / EMZ PARTNERS / SOCIETE GENERALE CAPITAL PARTENAIRES | SAFIC-ALCAN | FRANCE | Specialty Chemicals |
| 09/2019 | EQUISTONE | ACCES INDUSTRIE | FRANCE | Equipment Rental |
| 08/2019 | EQUISTONE / SAGARD | VULCAIN INGENIERIE | FRANCE | Engineering & Consulting |
| 02/2019 | EQUISTONE | COURIR | FRANCE | Sport |
| 04/2018 | EQUISTONE | KARAVEL | FRANCE | Tour Operators |
| 07/2017 | EQUISTONE | GROUPE BRUNEAU | FRANCE | Office Supplies & Furniture |
| 07/2016 | EQUISTONE / GEI | ADISTA | FRANCE | MSP (Managed Services) |
| 01/2016 | EQUISTONE | NOVARES | FRANCE | Auto Parts & Systems |
| 12/2015 | EQUISTONE | SICAME | FRANCE | Electrical Equipment |
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REFERENCES
Valuation range: EV €100–350M
Revenue range: €250–500M
EBITDA range: €25–50M
EV/Revenue range: below 1.5x
EV/EBITDA range: 5x - 12x
Note: This page provides detailed data on a private equity M&A transaction. Detailed and exact financial metrics for the acquisition of Vertbaudet by Equistone are reserved for mynth community members. Register for free to unlock full data.
Authors: This transaction was contributed by a verified mynth contributor and cross-checked against available transaction documents and official company communications.
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